They forgot.
A Congressional measure requiring the U.S. Mint to design and issue gold and silver coins honoring the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks appears to be dead in the water, insiders told The Post.
The legislation – which would raise nearly $6 million through coin sales for the cash-strapped 9/11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center – has drawn support from only 184 House members since it was introduced in March by Rep. Dan. Goldman (D-NY), leaving it stalled in a committee 34 votes shy of approval.
Although the bill drew wide bipartisan support throughout the tri-state area – including from Reps. Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-Long Island) and Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) – it has failed to capture similar support outside the region, especially from Republicans.
Only 52 of the 218 members who make up the House’s Republican majority are co-sponsors, while the remaining 152 co-sponsors are Democrats.
Family members of victims wonder if apathy is playing a role nearly 25 years after 2,977 innocents were slaughtered by Islamic terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001.
“These people representing us should be more vigilant and on top of what’s going on and preparing for the 25th anniversary,” said Monica Iken-Murphy, who lost her 37-year-old husband, Michael Iken, a bond trader working in the World Trade Center.
“I still don’t have the remains of Michael, and for me the Memorial is my safe haven,” added Iken-Murphy, a founding trustee of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
NYC Councilwoman Joann Ariola said she’s flabbergasted the bill is stalled — yet Congress green-lighted the U.S. Mint later this year to release coins paying tribute to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
“It is unfathomable to me that any legislator would refuse to sign onto something like this, especially the Republicans in Congress who constantly preach their patriotic values whenever they have the pulpit,” said the Queens Republican.
“This is something that should have 100% support. They passed a FIFA World Cup commemorative coin with no problem. There is no excuse for this holdup.”
John Feal, a longtime advocate for 9/11 responders, also questioned Congress’ priorities in not helping to finance an institution that meets the “moral obligation to tell our story.”
However, Feal, who was a demolition supervisor at Ground Zero, said the coin fight is not as pressing as the battle to get Congress to approve more funding for a 9/11-related illness health program slated to run out of cash this decade.
Under Goldman’s bill, the U.S. Mint would issue up to 50,000 $5 gold coins and 400,000 silver dollars throughout next year.
Sales would include $35 surcharges for the gold coins and $10 for the silver coins, raising up to $5.75 million that would go fund the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Goldman told The Post he hasn’t given up hope of his 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act: “We will continue to garner support to ensure we never forget the victims and survivors of that day,” he said.
